Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday that Gaza City would be razed unless Hamas agrees to Israel’s conditions for ending the war—namely the immediate release of all remaining hostages and the militant group’s complete disarmament. Katz said the Israel Defense Forces had already approved plans involving heavy firepower, civilian evacuations and a ground manoeuvre, adding that “Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun” if the ultimatum is rejected. The threat follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s order late Thursday to open negotiations aimed at freeing the 49 captives still held in the enclave, even as he authorised the mobilisation of roughly 60,000 reservists for an assault on Gaza City. Israeli strikes intensified overnight around the city and east of Deir el-Balah, part of a broader campaign that the Gaza health ministry says has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians since 2023. Hamas said earlier this week that it had accepted an Egypt- and Qatar-brokered cease-fire plan featuring phased hostage and prisoner exchanges, but Israel insists any agreement must secure the simultaneous release of all captives. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies warn that a full-scale offensive on Gaza City—home to around one million civilians—would have “horrific” consequences, yet Katz’s ultimatum underscores Israel’s resolve to press ahead unless its terms are met.